BOOKOFOLD-WORLDGARDENS 



Sovereign VI 



pleasure in when Ep i curus to the world had taught 

 a garden s r 



shade That pleasure was the chiefest good, 



(And was, perhaps, i' th' right, if rightly under- 

 stood) 



His life he to his doctrine brought, 

 And in a garden's shade that sovereign pleasure 



sought : 



Whoever a true epicure would be, 

 May there find cheap and virtuous luxury. 

 Vitellius his table, which did hold 

 As many creatures, as the ark of old ; 

 That fiscal table, to which every day 

 All countries did a constant tribute pay, 

 Could nothing more delicious afford, 



Than nature's liberality, 

 Help'd with a little art and industry, 

 Allows the meanest gard'ner's board. 

 The wanton taste no fish or fowl can choose, 

 For which the grape or melon she would 



lose; 



Though all th' inhabitants of sea and air 

 Be listed in the glutton's bill of fare, 



Yet still the fruits of earth we see 

 Plac'd the third story high in all her luxury. 



